Feancis m



(No Model.)

F. M. MULLEN.

GAR COUPLING.

No. 257,180. Patented May 2,1882.

N. PETERS. Phulo-Likhographet. Waahington, m;

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANCIS M. MULLEN, OF MILROY, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO DAILY O. ALDRIDGE AND MARS PLACE.

CAR-COUPLING.

HALL H. ALDRIDGE, BOTH OF SAME SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 257,180, dated May 2, 1882.

Application filed March 6, 1882.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FRANCIS M. MULLEN, of Milroy,in the county of Bush and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Oar-Couplings, of which the following is a specification.

My improved car-coupler can be usedin connection with a mate of similar construction or in connection with an ordinary link-coupling. Used'in paiis,'it is an automatic coupler. Its general form is such that in altering cars having the usual link-coupler to the improved style no change need be made in the accessories of the coupler, it is not liable to derangements. and its cost is no greater than common link-couplers when the usual loss of couplingpins is considered.

In the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 is a side view, part sec=ion-; Fig. 2, a side view;

Fig. 3, a front end view, part section; and Fig. 4., a top view.

A is thedraw-bar; B, the link-socket; I, the link, and E the pin. In the rear of the linksocket are cast lugs D, which have a space, 0, between their bottom surface and the floor of the link-socket of sufficient height to admit the end ot the link freel but not of sufficient height to permit the outer end of the link to sag materially. The link, being inserted in the socket B and back into the space 0, will be supported in proper position to enter the coupling ot the next car.

Fis a horizontal block, pivoted over the drawbar, and united to it by the pivot H. To the (No model.)

forward end of this block is pivoted the coupling-pin E, suspended by its pivot, as shown, so as to stand vertically across the link-socket, as shown in Fig. 3. The pin, when in the vertical position shown in Fig. l, is prepared to receive the strain of the link, as with the common coupling, the abutting shoulders K in the draw-bar serving to relieve the pin-pivot of any strain. The pin is lifted to permit uncoupling by raising the block F by means of a cord, chain, handle-lever, or any other suitable device connected with it at G in an obvious manner. The pin E normally hangs vertically, as shown, and the slots J in the drawbar permit the pin to swing back and up when pressure is applied upon its front. Thus the link [of Fig. 2, upon entering the socket in Fig. 1, would push the pin backward and upward till the link end could pass under the pin,

after which the pin would fall again into its normal position, but inside the link, ready to receive the strain of draft. If the lugs D are omitted, the link mustin the act of coupling be sustained by hand, unless some equivalent be provided in their stead.

I claim as my invention- The combination of draw-bar A, having lugs D, recess 0, and slots J, pivoted blot-k F, and pivoted pin E, substantially as set forth.

FRANCIS M. MULLEN.

Witnesses:

JOSEPH F. ALDRIDGE, RANsoM A. DUDGEON. 

